Questions & Replies: Question & Replies No. 2101 to 2125

Bus Based Park and Ride Facilities

• The facilities will enhance rail based transport for domestic and local tourists. The project had a planned completion date of 30 October 2009 and was allocated an amount of R11,000,000.00. It is now 43% completed.

Bus Shuttle Embayments

• These embayments will include, inter alia, bus and taxi turn around, road signs and markings, paving of pedestrian areas, landscaping and lighting. It is planned for completion on 16 December 2009 and was allocated an amount of R21,400,000.00. The project is currently 83% complete.

Cape Town Bus Fleet

• The project involves acquisition of special buses for use during the Soccer World in 2010. The buses will remain as part of the legacy projects for the City. Of Cape Town. This project has a planned implementation date of 14 December 2009 and was allocated R180,00,000.00. It is currently 60% complete.

City Centre Pedestrian Improvements

• The project involves improvement of pedestrian crossings at Cape Town Station across Adderley Street, where access to and from the station is poor. An allocation of R29, 800,000.00 was made towards this project, which is planned for completion on 28 April 2010. The project is 35% complete.

City-Wide NMT Plan

• The project entails a number of upgrades to the pedestrian and bicycle network in the CBD and the Somerset Road areas for the Soccer World Cup in 2010. These upgrades will enhance the pedestrian links between the CBD, De Waterkant, the V&A Waterfront and the training venues. The planned completion date was 30 August 2009 and an amount of R40,000,000.00 was allocated towards it. The project is currently 28% completed.

Grade Separated Crossing of Western Boulevard

• This entails the provision of a safe pedestrian crossing over the Boulevard that separates pedestrians from the vehicles. This project had a planned completion date of 10 October 2009 and was allocated an amount of R68,100,000.00. It is currently 71% completed.

Grade Separated Pedestrian Facilities

• This project entails the upgrading of Somolo transfer taxi tank, Lesedi taxi rank and Malula taxi rank. It is planned for completion on 12 February 2010. An amount of R35, 000,000.00 was allocated for this project, which iscurrently 53% completed.

Green Point Stadium - Informal Parking

• The parking is required in 2010 for the management of FIFA/media/emergency vehicles adjacent to the FIFA Hospitality Arena, and for the public on the western side of the precinct. The planned completion date is 16 December 2009 and a budget of R3, 900,000.00 was allocated. The project is currently 35% complete.

Green Point Stadium - Pedestrian Improvements

• This entails the provision of better pedestrian facilities around the stadium. The project currently stands at 59% and is planned to be completed on 30 November 2009. An amount of R55,000,000.00 was allocated for this project.

Hospital Bend

• This project entails the upgrading of the Hospital Bend (N2), which includes the extension of the third westbound public transport lane along the N2/Settlers Way route into the eastern access from the M3 via the N2 into the City by means of a PR-selection lane. It is planned for completion on 31 March 2010 and was allocated an amount of R380,400,000.00. The project stands at 84%.

Inner City Transport System

• The Inner City includes the CBD and offshore, the Port and V&A Waterfront and all the suburbs of the City Bowl. It also extends eastwards to include Green Point, Sea Point and Camps Bay and then eastwards to include the Culemborg area, Woodstock, Salt River, Observatory and Mowbray. The project is currently 85% complete and is planned to be fully completed on 30 April 2010. An amount of R500,000.00 was allocated for this project.

Integrated Fare Management System

• The project entails the setting up of an inter-operable, integrated fare management system as one of the key components of the public transport improvement programme for the Province. It is currently standing at 15% completeness with a planned completion date of 30 October 2009. R50, 000,000.00 was allocated for this project.

ITS / Travel Demand Management

• Provision of ITS and CCV facilities. The project currently stands at 98% and was planned to be completed on 30 August 2009. R6,000,000.00 was allocated for this project.

ITS N2 Klipfontein Corridor

• The City has embarked on intelligent Transport Management System (ITS) to bring about improvement in network operations on a City-wide basis. The planned completion date was 31 January 2009, but the project is currently 32% completed. It was allocated an amount of R78,000,000.00.

Klipfontein Corridor – BRT

• The envisaged project will offer alternative routes to the predominant mobility routes. The project is planned for completion on 02 February 2010 and was allocated an amount of R116,000,000.00. It is currently standing at 13%.

Klipfontein Corridor – NMT

• These include bus shelters, embayments, signage (branding) and road markings. The planned date for completion is on 24 December 2009 with an allocation of R154, 354,000.00. The project is presently 78% completed.

Koeberg BRT Corridor

• The project involves the planning, designing, construction and management of a Rapid Bus Transit System, plus cycle lanes on the R27 and Koeberg route to link Table View with the CBD. It is planned to be completed on 30 April 2010 and was allocated R836, 000,000.00. It is currently 39% complete.

Long Distance Coach Terminals

• The provision of long distance coach terminals is planned to be completed on 16 December 2009 and was allocated an amount of R85,000,000.00. The project is currently standing at 11%.

N2 Airport City Link

• The project entails the upgrading and extension of Provincial Trunk Road 2, section 1 (National Route N2), between Vanguard Drive and the R300 as well as the upgrade of the Airport Approach Road interchange on the N2. The project currently stands at 90% complete with a planned completion date of 31 March 2010. A budget of R100, 000,000.00 was allocated towards this project.

NMT Bridge: Bhunga Avenue

• The project involves the design and construction of an NMT bridge over Bhunga Avenue over the N2, as well as NMT links between Langa and the Klipfontein Corridor/Athlone Stadium. It is planned for completion on 15 October 2009 with a total allocation of R28, 000,000.00. The project is 74% complete.

Public Transport Infrastructure Upgrade on Public Transport Corridors

• The project is one of a number of Public Transport infrastructure priority projects identified in the draft Public Transport Plan. It is planned for completion on 31 March 2010 and was allocated an amount of R45,000,000.00. The project currently stands at 25% completion.

Rail Based Park and Ride

• This entails the upgrade of rail based facilities and was allocated an amount of R51, 200,000.00. It is planned for completion on 16 December 2009. The project currently stands at 27%.

Road Signage Upgrade

• This entails the provision of signage and a navigational system planned for completion on 28 May 2010 and was allocated a budget of R28, 000,000.00. The project is now 72% complete.

Stadium Precinct Local Access Roads

• This involves the upgrading of Fritz Sonnenberg Street from the Granger Bay Boulevard to access the stadium. This project is planned for completion on 15 December 2009 and was allocated and amount of R17,500,000.00. It is currently 62% complete.

Stadium Precinct Pedestrian and Cycle Facilities

• This entails the provision of pedestrian and cycle facilities as well as adequate lighting. The planned completion date for this project is 16 December 2009, but is currently 45% complete. A budget of R7,800,000.00 was allocated for this project.

Symphony Way

• The project involves upgrading of the existing road network around the Symphony area. The planned completion date was 20 November 2009, with an allocation of R30, 000,000.00. It is currently 47% complete.

Transport Management Centre

• This centre was planned for completion on 30 October 2009 and was allocated an amount of R223,376,000.00. It is 79% complete.

QUESTION 2120

FOR WRITTEN REPLY

Date of publication on internal question paper: 6 November 2009

Internal question paper no:

Dr S M Pillay (ANC) to ask the Minister of Social Development:

Whether she has been informed of the computer network failing repeatedly in Uitenhage's SA Social Security Agency (Sassa) offices; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, why is this office using the 3G cards whereas the State has access to State Information Technology Agency, Sentech and Telkom which are more reliable and secure? NW2785E

REPLY:

Yes, I have been informed of the challenges faced by the South African Social Security Agency ("Agency") regarding service delivery in general, which also embrace ICT challenges not only in the Uitenhage office, but throughout the entire Agency.

SASSA is exploring and where possible partnering with other organs of state utilizing their network. In provinces where offices are being shared with the Department of Social Development, the agreement is that SASSA would utilize their network and carry expenditure in that regard. We are also capitalizing on space in Thusong Centres and connect to SASSA via the GCCN line that already exist in these Centres. The challenge is where SASSA has independent offices, acquired its own building, and no partnership can be explored as in the case of the Uitenhage office.

Unfortunately, the service delivery challenges faced by the South African Social Security Agency are mainly due to budgetary constraints. This is a general challenge for Government as a whole which emanates from the current economic recession that has affected the World at large.

The SASSA office in Uitenhage, is amongst offices that have been identified to be in need of ICT infrastructure upgrading and was included in the Agency's ICT Infrastructure Development Plans. This includes cabling and installation of network services, both the Local Area Network and the Wide Area Network. However, as indicated above the lack of financial resources has been a constraint in effectively implementing these plans.

The Agency hopes to access funding as part of its 2010-2012/13 MTEF Budget Cycle in order to address this matter.

As an interim measure, the Agency issued 3G cards, ensuring service delivery continuity and the execution of its mandate.

UESTION NO: 2118

DATE SUBMITTED:

MR L RAMATLAKANE (COPE) TO ASK THE MINISTER OF CORRECTIONAL SERVICES:

(1) Whether she has reviewed her department's performance with regard to the Public Service Commission report on the non compliance with the Public Service regulation that compels Senior Management Service (SMS) to declare all interests yearly; if not, why not; if so, (a) how many did not declare their interest and (b) what are the (i) names and (ii) ranks of the noncompliant members of the SMS;

(2) whether senior managers who failed to declare have been charged with misconduct; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details;

(3) whether she has found that where senior managers failed to declare their interests it was as a result of hiding any conflicting business interest with any department; if so, what are the relevant details;

(4) whether any investigation will be undertaken in order to root out corruption in her department ; if not, why not' if so, what are the relevant details? NW2777E

REPLY

(1)(a) 22 SMS officials did not declare certain entities registered in their names.

(b) They are:

(2) The Senior Managers who failed to declare were given warning letters and no formal charges of misconduct were laid against any of them. They indicated in their responses that the said entities were either not actively involved in business or that they were redundant.

(3) No conflict of interest was established as most of the entities were found to be either redundant or not engaged in active business.

(4) The DCS has a structure in place to investigate fraud and corruption and also conducts disciplinary hearings as provided for in Section 95 of the Correctional Services Act. The Directorate Departmental Investigation Unit conducts the said investigations and the Code Enforcement Unit handles disciplinary processes on cases of fraud, corruption and serious maladministration. Investigations for the period 01 April 2009 to 30 September 2009:

151 cases reported. 161 cases were carried over from previous FYs. 80 cases closed due to lack of evidence. 18 cases referred to Code Enforcement. 214 cases are still under investigation. Information on Lesedi database and diary of the case dockets are updated daily.

Disciplinary steps instituted:

45 officials were charged. 44 found guilty, 1 withdrawn, success rate of 97.77%

QUESTION NO. 2116

DATE PUBLISHED: 06 November 2009

DATE SUBMITTED: 24 November 2009

2116. Ms A Mda (Cope) to ask the President of the Republic:

(1) Whether he will instruct the Minister of Correctional Services to investigate the recent developments of a certain person (name furnished) on having been seen shopping and playing golf while on medical parole; if not, why not; if so, when;

(2) What (a) steps will he take to fulfill his commitment of rooting out corruption and (b) have been the successes in resolving problems encountered by the public in respect of the various departments since the launch of the presidential hotline on 14 September 2009? NW2775E

REPLY:

(1) As the Honourable Member should be aware the Correctional Services Act (Act No 111 of 1998) sets out the procedures to be followed where there are allegations of non compliance by a parolee with his or her parole conditions. In terms of the Act the National Commissioner of Correctional Services must investigate any non compliance and based on the seriousness of the non compliance a parolee may be reprimanded or instructed to appear before the Parole Board to have their parole conditions altered.

I am informed that the Department of Correctional Services has not received any formal complaint alleging non compliance by the person referred to.

The Minister of Correctional Services has requested the National Council for Correctional Services (chaired by Judge Siraj Desai) to review the legislative provisions of medical parole. This request has been made because a number of problems exist with regard to the implementation of the current medical parole system. The National Council is expected to submit their report to the Minister by the end of November 2009.

(2) (a) The government will continue to strengthen the strategies that are in place to fight corruption.

At its meeting of 18 November 2009, Cabinet decided to set up an Anti-Corruption Inter-Ministerial Committee to effectively deal with all incidence of corruption in the public service.

This Inter-Ministerial Committee will study the report and recommendations on corruption issued by the Public Service Commission and other reports.

The Inter-Ministerial Committee will ensure that action is taken against all persons who are involved in corrupt practices involving public finances.

The Anti-Corruption Inter-Ministerial Committee, which will be chaired by Minister in the Presidency, Mr Collins Chabane, will present its report and action plan at the Cabinet Lekgotla in January 2010.

Other steps that have been taken include the establishment of a new National Treasury unit to monitor and investigate corruption in public procurement processes.

As I have said before, we will not tolerate or condone the misuse of public resources by any public official. Where transgressions are found to have been committed, the required remedial action will be taken, including instituting legal proceedings against the officials concerned.

(b) Since the Presidential Hotline was established, there have been numerous successes in resolving problems encountered by the public. A report on the Hotline will be tabled in Parliament in due course.

QUESTION NO 2115

Mrs H N Ndude (Cope) to ask the Minister of Trade and Industry:

Whether his department will lead the role in government to ensure that South African Battery manufacturers or importers who are seeking to meet the anticipated demand for battery packs with the advent of electrical cars like the Joule will adopt a common standard to boost the production volumes and help to bring down prices; if not, why not; if so, what steps will he take to compel compliance in this matter before it becomes too chaotic to regulate?NW2774E

REPLY:

A private company: Optimal Energy is the manufacturer of the Joule. The battery pack, currently used in proto-types of the Joule, was configured and built by Joule themselves. They imported the individual cells (lithium-ion) from Korea. The configuration depends on the type of vehicle - and in this case it is custom made. These types of batteries are not currently available commercially for sale in South Africa, given the prototype stage of the Joule.

The dti together with other entities such as Department of Science and Technology (DST) and the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) are working actively to try and attract investment in battery production for the Joule to South Africa. As part of supporting and ensuring successful commercialisation of the Joule and promoting local manufacturing, the dti together with DST, IDC and Optimal Energy is exploring ways and means of localising the production of the electric vehicle battery in South Africa.

The South African Bureau of Standards (SABS) has this far adopted two standards for electric vehicles and there are a few more that the International Standards Organisation (ISO) has published recently that the SABS is looking at adopting as South African National Standards.

The dti and the South African Bureau of Standards (SABS) currently investigating the expansion of the SABS battery testing facility in order for it to meet the increase in testing demand for different types of batteries including batteries for electric motor vehicles. The SABS will also re-establish the technical committee responsible for the development of South African National Standards for batteries.

The National Regulator for Compulsory Specifications (NRCS) is aware of the focus on electric cars and the standards that is currently under development by the International Standards Organisation (ISO) and the SABS. The NRCS will regulate these vehicles. The process would be to amend one or more of the current Compulsory Specifications to accommodate these standards. This compulsory specifications addresses all aspects relating to safety in passenger vehicles by referencing relevant standards. This will also be the case for batteries.

The dti will work actively with SABS and NRCS to develop appropriate standards for the Joule battery.

QUESTION NO. 2114

DATE PUBLISHED: 06 November 2009

DATE SUBMITTED: 24 November 2009

2114. Mr L S Ngonyama (Cope) to ask the President of the Republic:

(1) Whether the Government has been informed that the crisis in Zimbabwe is worsening; if so, what are the relevant details;

(2) Whether he or the Government has played any role recently in trying to preserve the functioning of the unity government in Zimbabwe; if not, why not; if so, what role;

(3) Whether he will make a statement on the matter? NW2773E

REPLY:

(1) South Africa participated in the Summit of the Troika of the SADC Organ on Politics, Defence and Security, which met in Mozambique on 5 November 2009. Among the principal issues on the agenda was the situation in Zimbabwe, and specifically the outstanding issues with respect to the full implementation of the Global Political Agreement (GPA).

The Summit, which was also attended by the three signatory parties to the GPA, received an extensive briefing on the situation in Zimbabwe.

(2) The Honourable Member is referred to the answer and responses to follow-up questions to Oral Question no 11 given in the National Assembly on 12 November 2009.

(3) We will not make any statement on the matter at this time. As the facilitator, the South African government is required to evaluate progress and report back to the Chairperson of the Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation.

NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

FOR WRITTEN REPLY

QUESTION NO 2112

DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 6 NOVEMBER 2009

(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO 27- 2009)

Date reply submitted : 15 December 2009

Mr L B Gaehler (UDM) to ask the Minister of Police:

(1) (a) What is the monthly rental of the Savoy Hotel building on the corner of Stanford Terrace Street and Sutherland Street, Mthatha and (b) what has been the total expenditure for renting this building as at the latest specified date for which information is available;

(2) (a) why is this building being used instead of state-owned property and (b) how much longer does the police plan to use this building?

NW2769E

REPLY:

(1)(a) The monthly rental of the Savoy Hotel is R129, 820.70

(1)(b) The Department of Public Works is the custodian of the South African Police Service=s fixed assets therefore it is suggested that this question be redirected to the Department of Public Works.

(2)(a) State owned buildings are a scarcity in this area and alternatives such as lease holds need to be used to provide office accommodation.

(2)(b) The accommodation will be utilized for as long as required. Mthatha does not appear on the Capital Works Priority List for the Eastern Cape for the construction of additional offices at the Mthatha Central Police Station and no capital funding is currently available for the construction of a suitable state owned building.

NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

WRITTEN REPLY

INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER [No 27-2009]

DATE OF PUBLICATION: 6 November 2009

2111. Mr L B Gaehler (UDM) to ask the Minister of Rural Development and Land Reform:

(1) What is the (a) status of the (i) Lindile and (ii) Highbury community land claims in Mthatha and (b) reason for the delay in settling the claims;

(2) whether he has been informed of the deteriorating state of the structures on the property; if so, what are the relevant details;

(3) what is the status of the Paynes farm/Zimbane land claim in Mthatha?

THE MINISTER OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT AND LAND REFORM:

(1)(a)(i) The Kwa Lindile community land claim has been investigated and was found to be compliant with section 2 of the Restitution of Land Rights Act, 1994 (Act No 22 of 1994) ("the Restitution Act"). Claimant verification has been concluded and the Office of the Regional Land Claims Commissioner: Eastern Cape (RLCC:EC) is in the process of establishing legal entities to which the land will be transferred.

(ii) The Highbury community land claim was similarly found to be legally compliant and has undergone the research and verification processes. The RLCC:EC is currently negotiating with all relevant stakeholders including government parastatals, and the occupiers of the claimed land.

(b) In respect of the Kwa Lindile community land claim, the matter was in the process of being referred to court in terms of section 14(1) of the Restitution Act, on request by the community due to a dispute between the King Sabata Dalindyebo (KSD) Municipality and the community on the issue of the validity of the claim. While the RLCC:EC was in the process of filing the referral, an application was lodged in terms of section 34 of the Restitution Act by the KSD Municipality for an order that the claimed land should not be restored to the community. The section 34 application was set down for hearing from 24 to 30 August 2009. Judgment has not yet been delivered.

With regard to the Highbury community land claim, delays in settling the land claim have resulted from illegal occupants on some portions of the land under claim as well as claimant disputes and internal conflict within the community. The internal conflict has resulted in the need for further work to be conducted in the area thus making it extremely difficult for the RLCC:EC to finalise the matter.

(2) Yes. Negotiations are currently underway with government parastatals to find ways of making use of the existing structures for the benefit of the claimant community. The Provincial Rural Development and Land Reform Office in Mthatha (Eastern Cape) is also assisting in resolving the matter.

(3) The Zimbane community claim is being investigated and processed jointly with the Kwa Lindile community claim. This claim is also before the Land Claims Court as a result of a section 34 application brought by the Municipality and was heard during the week of 24 to 30 August 2009. Judgment has not yet been delivered.

NATIONAL COUNCIL OF PROVINCES

WRITTEN REPLY

QUESTION NO 2110

(Internal Question Paper No 29 - 2009)

Mr L B Gaehler (UDM) to ask the Minister for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs:

1. Why were the 26 houses located in Mthatha (i) transferred to a defunct entity (name furnished) and (ii) later sold at an auction in 2008 by the MEC for local government in the Eastern Cape, (b)(i) where and (ii) when was the auction advertised, (c) how many interested parties attended the auction, (d) what criteria influenced the auction to enable a single person to buy all the houses and (e) what was the selling price per house;

2 Whether the occupants of the affected houses were given preference to buy the property; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details? NW2767E

Answer

The details to this question can only be provided by the MEC of Local Government in the Eastern Cape. The recommendation is that the question be redirected to the Eastern Cape Province to reply.

QUESTION NO 2108

DATE REPLY SUBMITTED: TUESDAY, 15 DECEMBER 2009

DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: FRIDAY, 6 NOVEMBER 2009 (INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: NATIONAL ASSEMBLY, NO 27 – 2009)

Mr P F Smith (IFP) asked the Minister of Transport:

(1) Whether municipalities focus on speed transgressions whilst minimising other traffic violations; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so,

(2) whether the reason for this has to do with the income stream to municipalities and corresponding incentives to traffic officers; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details;

(3) what is the breakdown of the revenue earned by every municipality through speed fines relative to other traffic violations?

REPLY:

The Minister of Transport:

(1) High speed remains one of the major contributory factors to the high accident rate in the country. The Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC), through the Law Enforcement Technical Committee (LETCOM), provides guidelines in respect of speed law enforcement to ensure that these operations are conducted at hazardous locations (HAZLOCS), with a view to reducing high speeds at such locations.

The identification of hazardous locations is done scientifically through the gathering of relevant crash data over various periods along particular stretches of roads. After careful analysis are made on the causes of accidents, various interventions, that could include engineering, education and enforcement, are proposed to make the biggest impact in reducing offences and subsequently crashes and casualties.

With the latest technology available, speed timing operations are a quick, inexpensive and effective method of making a high impact on compliance. This is, however, not at the expense of the other offences. According to the National Rolling Enforcement Plan, which we admit has not cascaded to all Municipal Traffic Departments, emphasis is placed on vehicle and driver fitness and other moving offences as well.

(2) The purpose of road traffic enforcement is to promote compliance with the road traffic rules and regulations. It is not for income generation or incentives for traffic officers. By penalising errant road users, there can be greater awareness of compliance, thereby reducing offences, crashes and casualties.

(3) There are more than two hundred Municipal Traffic Departments in the country and the RTMC does not have access to information in respect of the revenue earned by each municipality through speed fines and other traffic violations.

____________________________________________________________________

FOR WRITTEN REPLY

QUESTION 2107

DATE OF PUBLICATION OF INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 06/11/09

(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER 27-2009)

Mr PF Smith (IFP) to ask the Minister of Basic Education:

1. What her department (a) has done, (b) is doing and (c) will be doing to improve South Africa's ranking in the forseeable future with reference to the World Economic Forum's Global Information Technology Report of 2008-2009, ranking South Africa at 110 AND 132 respectively for the quality of its education system, mathematics and science education compared to Tunisia's ranking of 17 and 7 in global terms? NW2757E

REPLY:

1. The Department of Basic Education is committed to ensuring quality education for all children in schools. The National Curriculum Statement implemented in Grade R – 12 which has been internationally benchmarked to ensure that it is responsive and provides learners with the 21^st century skills. With effect from 2010 the Department of Basic Education will strengthen the implementation of the NCS in schools by alleviating the administration burden on teachers and providing sufficient time on teaching and learning. In particular, the Department will continue to strengthen the support for the teaching of Literacy and Numeracy in the early Grades in schools through the expansion of the Foundations for Learning in all schools up to Grade 6. There will be an annual national assessment conducted for learners in Grades 1-6 and 9 in all schools to assess progress in numeracy and literacy which are foundational skills for learning. The Department will further consolidate the Dinaledi Schools Project to ensure that the teaching of and performance in mathematics and science are improved. The performance of the Dinaledi schools in 2008 NSC examinations has demonstrated the value of dedicated teacher training in subject contact knowledge, and the availability of textbooks and other LTSM in the promotion of mathematics and science. The Department will sustain this support in schools.

NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

WRITTEN REPLY

QUESTION NO: 2104

DATE OF PUBLICATION: 6 November 2009

QUESTION PAPER NO: 27

DATE OF REPLY: 19 November 2009

Mrs J D Kilian (Cope) to ask the Minister of Communications:

(1) Whether thousands of schools have no form of ICT services or infrastructure or internet connectivity; if so, what are the (a) short-; (b) medium- and (c) long –term strategies to remedy the situation.

(2) what measures will be taken to factor in and overcome the impact of unpredictable migration patterns on the implementation of such strategies?

NW2542E

REPLY:

(1) (a), (b) and (c):

While some schools have access to basic communication services, e.g e-mail, telephone, etc, the majority do not have internet connectivity. In response to this challenge, the Department of Basic Education and other relevant ministries have developed a national connectivity plan for schools to in the long-term provide a national standard for connectivity to all public schools and to ensure a structured and co-ordinated national programme. This plan will ensure the provision of cost-effective, secure and efficient connectivity to public schools. This national connectivity plan is an additional intervention for the provision of connectivity to public schools, other interventions have occurred at provincial levels. In the short-term the Department of Communications is working closely with the Department of Communications is working closely with the Department of Basic Education and ICASA in respect of fast-tracking pressing legislative interventions.

(2) The Connectivity plan for public schools seeks to provide connectivity to all public

schools on an equal basis, regardless of their geographic location and their affordability status. Due to the high number of public schools and their diverse circumstances, the plan is based on various categories of public schools such a primary and secondary as well as factors such as the number of learners. As this plan focuses on a national programme the various categories should take care of unpredictable factors.

DEPARTMENT: JUSTICE AND CONSTITUTIONAL DEVELOPMENT

REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA

NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

PARLIAMENTARY QUESTION FOR WRITTEN REPLY

Mr L Ramatlakane (Cope) to ask the Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development:

Whether his department has implemented the Cabinet's recommendations regarding the case backlog that was identified within the criminal justice cluster; if not, why not; if so, (a) what are the hours of (i) improvement on hearing cases and (ii) magistrate daily hearing cases, (b) how did an improvement of hearing cases increase in the (i) 2007-08 and (ii) 2008-09 financial years and (c) what (i) are the hearing incremental plans for the next three years, (ii) are the backlog figures and (iii) is the increase thereof?

NW2346E

REPLY:

Yes, the Backlog Reduction Project was instituted to provide additional capacity to the courts where there are serious backlogs. The focus has thus far been on all the high priority Regional Courts where the backlog numbers are serious enough to warrant intervention. Backlogs in the Regional Courts are viewed as all the cases on the outstanding Regional Court roll for longer than 9 months. The intervention in terms of backlogs reduction entails the appointment, additionally to the current establishment, of an experienced prosecutor on contract where possible, a retired magistrate, additional interpreter, clerk and an administrative clerk to operate the Digital Recording System and e-scheduler. Since the inception of the backlog reduction intervention, very good progress has been made at the various Regional Court hotspots, which has also lead to a decrease in general in the outstanding and backlog case rolls of the Regional Courts. Notwithstanding this, the total outstanding Regional Court roll country-wide, as at the end of September 2009, was 50 510 cases and the backlogs on that outstanding roll, 15 763 cases (indicating a 31.2% backlog percentage). This indicates that we still require a backlog intervention to assist these courts.

As the success of this project depends also to a large extent on eliminating any delays caused by issues related to the accused's right to legal representation, Legal Aid SA continues to strive to ensure that legal representation is immediately available to anyone who appears in the case backlog courts. Additional legal aid practitioners have thus been made available in this regard to all the regional court backlog sites. A further additional practitioner was also allocated to each of these courts to ensure that the court continues to function while one practitioner is busy with consultations and the other with preparations for the cases. This ensures a smooth flow of cases which results in the maximum possible utilization of the available court time.

Furthermore, all the various role players are participating in the activities of the national case backlog task team, provincial case flow management fora as well as local case review committees to ensure that the productivity of these backlog courts is continuously monitored and evaluated.

The District Court backlogs will be dealt with in the next phase which is now being considered and which will still commence this financial year.

The High Court backlog is relatively low, but where there are specific needs suitable interventions will be considered in conjunction with the respective Judges President.

(a)(i) The average regional court hours country-wide from April 2007 to March 2008 were 03:23. The average court hours from April 2008 to March 2009 were 03:40. (The average court hours used for the dealing with the court cases therefore improved significantly from 03:23 to 03:40).

(ii) The average court hours from April 2009 to September 2009 were 03:42 (2366 cases finalised). (The average hours therefore again increased – though for this period only slightly, namely from 03:40 to 03:42).

In general it can be noted that regarding the specific backlog reduction project, the current 39 case reduction backlog courts have sat on average 3:36 minutes per day at those backlog sites, since 1 November 2006 until the end of September 2009. In the current financial year (since 1 April 2009 until the end of September 2009), these courts have sat at those backlog sites, on average 3:43 minutes per day. (Some backlog courts have averaged more than 4 hours)

(b)(i) Approximately 388 532 cases were finalised during 2007-2008.

(ii) Approximately 431 640 cases were finalised during 2008-2009.

The improvement in hearing cases thus led to more cases being finalised (and in a shorter time) and it also led to a general reduction in case backlogs. The backlog courts finalise on average 10.8 cases per month, which is substantially more than the normal regional courts (which averages about 6 per month). The increased capacity at the regional backlog court centres, as was indicated above, has been instrumental in improving the hearing of cases. The fact that backlog courts operate as far as possible on a continuous roll and only deal with trial ready cases (and not new matters) has also improved case flow management in those courts.

(c)(i) Because of the fact that there is still a significant number of outstanding and backlog cases in the District Courts, Regional Courts and High Courts, many of which have been outstanding for long periods of time, the project is being extended to new Regional Court sites. Requests for 9 additional Regional backlog Courts were received and are being assessed for establishment during the 2009-2010 financial year. In addition, 27 high priority sites have already been identified for District backlog interventions and it is envisaged that at least 9 of these sites will be assisted with District backlog Courts during the 2009-2010 financial year, with additions from April 2010. The High Courts will also be receiving attention from April 2010.

(ii)

(iii) Regional court backlog figures have in general decreased, with the country-wide number of Regional Court backlog cases having being reduced substantially from the inception of the project from 20 452 backlog cases (43%) (on an outstanding roll of 47 343) in 2006, to 15 763 backlog cases (31.2%) (on an outstanding roll of 50 510) at the end of September 2009, notwithstanding the fact that the outstanding roll increased with 6.6% from 47 343 to 50 510.

For the current financial year, the country-wide number of Regional Court backlog cases was reduced with 2.45% from April 2009 until 30 September 2009 and in addition the outstanding roll was reduced with 3.03% for the same period. The number of Regional Court backlog cases at the specific 39 current regional backlog court sites have been reduced substantially with 11.1 % (from 7 159 to 6 363 cases) and the outstanding roll with 12.6% (from 20 018 to 17 502 cases) at those centres from April 2009 until 30 September 2009.

These backlog courts have received 16 328 cases in total and finalised hereof 11 220 (68.7%) cases as follows:

• Guilty: 8 285 (73.8 %) (of which 401 were as a result of plea bargains)

• Not guilty: 2 731

• Diversions: 110

• Admission of Guilt: 94

This brings the total number of cases removed from the Regional Court rolls as a result of the backlog courts from inception of the project, in November 2006, until the end of September 2009, to 16 705 (comprising the 11 220 cases finalised + 4 786 cases withdrawn through re-screening of cases on the roll + 699 cases transferred to higher courts) .

If the baseline figures (November 2006) are used, the backlogs have been reduced by 22.9% from 20 452 in November 2006 (which is the date used as the baseline date to monitor performance of the backlog courts) to 15 763 at the end of September 2009.

In the current financial year, the backlogs have been reduced by 2.4% from 16 159 in April 2009 to 15 763 at the end of September 2009.

National Assembly

Question 2102

2102. Ms S P Lebenya-Ntanzi (IFP) to ask the Deputy President:

(1) Whether, in light of his reply to Question 80 for oral reply on 15 September 2009 and the recently-reported loss of 267 000 jobs (details furnished), the Government will increase its target of creating 500 000 new jobs by the end of 2009 to a target of 767 000 new jobs by the end of 2009; if so, what plans are in place to create these new jobs; if not;

(2) whether this will be considered a failure to deliver on the promise made; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details? NW1300E

REPLY

In his State of the Nation Address in June this year, President Jacob Zuma said that government planned to create about 500,000 work opportunities this year as part of the second phase of the Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP).

This is part of government's goal of creating about 4 million such opportunities by the end of its five-year term.

Speaking in the debate on the State of the Nation Address, President Zuma said: "Let me emphasise that these measures are not a substitute for the permanent jobs that must be created and sustained in the economy."

As the President made clear from the outset, the 500 000 work opportunities refer specifically to the opportunities that the EPWP aims to create. It does not refer to the net number of people employed in the country.

Therefore, the issue of 767 000 jobs does not arise in this context.

We are working hard to ensure that the second phase of the Expanded Public Works Programme does indeed deliver 500 000 job opportunities within its first year. The programme is being implemented on a large scale, and we are confident that we can achieve this target.

NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

QUESTION FOR WRITTEN REPLY

QUESTION NUMBER: 2101

DATE FOR PUBLICATION: 2 NOVEMBER 2009

DATE REPLY SUBMITTED: 1 DECEMBER 2009

MR JJ Mc GLUWA (ID) TO ASK THE MINISTER IN THE PRESIDENCY: PERFORMANCE MONITORING AND EVALUATION AND ADMINISTRATION

(1) How many cases have been registered to the presidential hotline, (b) how many of these cases have been resolved, (c) what is the breakdown of cases in each province and (d) what are the top three issues that are raised in complaints;

(2) Whether the presidential hotline is able to handle the call load; if not, why not, if so, what are the relevant details;

(3) Whether the presidential hotline will be expanded in terms of resources; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details;

(4) When is it expected that cellular phones will be able to call the presidential hotline?

NW2765E

REPLY:

1. a) Total calls up to 27.11.09: 30650

b) Resolved cases: 9190

c) Breakdown of cases in each province: Complaints

Enquiry

Suggestions

Compliments

d) Top 3 complaints: 1) Employment/World of work

2) Housing

3) Legal

2. No, the Presidential Hotline is not able to handle the call load at this stage. Even if we were to scale up the number of call agents, we can only do so up to a certain limit – given that resources are limited. Together with DPSA, SITA and GCIS, are working at integrating existing government call centres to reduce the load on the Presidential Hotline.

3. Before we can allocate more resources to the Presidential Hotline, we would like to first explore if we are achieving efficiencies across all government hotlines. That is investigation is currently underway.

4. Cellular phones are able to call the Presidential Hotline. In fact, approximately 95% of all calls we receive are from mobile lines.

QUESTION NO 2130

DATE REPLY SUBMITTED: MONDAY, 7 DECEMBER 2009

DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: FRIDAY, 6 NOVEMBER 2009 (INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: NO 27 – 2009)

Mr S B Farrow (DA) MP asked the Minister of Transport:

What progress has been made with the investigations into the alleged fraudulent (a) payments made out of a certain Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (Prasa) bank accounts amounting to R5,7 million as reported by the Auditor-General in the annual report and (b) banking transactions made out of abovementioned agencies' bank accounts amounting to R8,1 million processed in the Metrorail Durban and Tshwane regions in 2008?

NW2805E

REPLY:

The Minister of Transport:

(a) and (b)

According to the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (PRASA), the fraudulent transactions were reported to both the concerned bank and the South African Police Service. PRASA also enlisted the services of Deloitte Forensics for an investigation and they recently submitted a draft of the investigation report. It is being studied by PRASA and further steps will be spelt out in due course.